Posted by nightlight on January 24, 2002, at 17:01:48
In reply to Psychiatrist won't let me try amphetamines., posted by zarathustra on January 23, 2002, at 1:06:07
> Does anyone know a way to go about getting dexadrine or aderral via perscription or 'otherwise'? I am quite curious after extensive research if I will respond as I predict.
> I believe my prob is ADD + depression
> Doc thinks it is BP
> I've tried every AD in the book
>
> now I'm willing to try something different!Zara~
What has convinced you that ADD is pronbably a more correct diagnosis? I wd. suggest getting a second opinion, preferably from a p-doc with extensive experience w/ADD and the diagnosing of it in adults.
I, too, tried many a-d's due to being diagnosed with simple depression: prozac, zoloft, celexa, desipramine, nortryptilline, elavil, remeron, trazadone, wellbutrin XR (3 x's) and effexor. I was always tired, needing a nap, sluggish, & foggy-headed--for 30 years, no less!
I tried a diet drug, phentermine, 5 yrs. ago, when I went to a diet clinic after having a baby. I felt awake and motivated, logical, and capable of finishing tasks for the first time in yrs! I knew I had lots of mental resources, but w/o medication, my own logic and creativity seemed to be inaccessable to me. And figuring out simple problems or planning an organization routine seemed almost impossible. Just taking care of my small family and working part-time, drained me of all my 'brain' reserve.
I went thru 4 p-docs, before I found a therapist who really listened to me. He asked me if any drug had ever had a positive effect, and I cautiosly mentioned the diet pill which had helped. After 2 long, in-depth conversations, he suggested trying a stimulent, referred me to the psychiatrist upstairs, who reviewed my case,we chatted a while and he started me on Adderall 5-10 mgs.+ zoloft, for depression. He felt the Adderall might boost the zoloft.
I was soon on ioo mgs zoloft and 20mgs twice a day of adderall. The Zoloft did not help, I was good in the mornings, but exhausted by 2 pm even w/the 2nd dose of Adderall and a nap.
We then started effexor 37.5, then up to 75 mgs a day. He increased Add. to 30mgs in am and 30 at noon plus another 30 if needed in the mornings. After 4 months, I am now at 112.5 Effexor (I think it does help a bit w/mood and we'll probably continue to slowly titrate upward)+ I'm now allowed up to 120 mgs Adderall a day, if needed, and not more than 60 mgs at one dosage.
I am also a chronic pain person and take a muscle relaxer, 2mgs. klonopin and a mild presciption pain reliever, as needed. I try to keep these meds at low dose, but they are necessary and may be why 120 ms. daily of Adderall does not keep me jittery or sleep-deprived.
SOOOO, keep trying! Find an ADD-savvy p-doc and let him/her evaluate you. You are obviously not on the proper meds.
Good luck!
nightlight
poster:nightlight
thread:91193
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020124/msgs/91449.html